Train like a Samurai with the Bokken

There is nothing that provokes an image of Japan more than a Samurai with his Samurai sword. Long, sweeping, and razor sharp – it gained its infamy by slicing the heads off of those that stood in its wake. Most people will never be able to own a “real” traditional Samurai sword because they are tremendously expensive and difficult to obtain. Sure, there are hundreds of imitations easily obtainable and affordable, but never confuse them with the real deal.

The closest that most people can come to the Samurai sword or “Katana” is the training tool used by martial artists interested in learning how to use and wield such a sword. The name of this tool is “Bokken.” The Bokken is a wooden shadow of a Japanese sword, and it began its life centuries ago in Japan.

Japanese warfare started to change during the Muromachi Period (1336-1600 A.D.) and Japan’s swords became shorter and curved. They also experimented with longer swords with two-handed hilts. It also marked the entrance of using a cavalry in warfare, in which the longer swords were ideal for swinging from atop a horse. During this period, warriors began learning how to duel against single opponents as opposed to fighting in a battlefield situation. From this single fighting concept, the “Ryu” was born and from the Ryu dojos (training house) came the feared Samurai.

The Bokken is made from a single piece of wood usually of walnut, hickory, persimmon, oak, or ironwood. Higher quality Bokken’s usually descend from Japan and are made almost exclusively of indigenous white oak. This oak is extremely hard and durable. So hard that it is rumored that masters of the Bokken could render a Katana useless. A Katana has its blade attached to its handle by two metal pins, and a properly placed strike from a Bokken can result in the fabled Katana breaking in two.

The Bokken that can be bought today is not so different than the ones made centuries ago in feudal Japan. A great quality of the Bokken is that it needs very little care or maintenance. If it already has a varnish on it, then there is little more to do other than keeping it clean. If it hasn’t been sealed then it is necessary to oil twice a year with tung oil. This oil prevents the wood from drying-out and cracking.

Be sure to closely inspect the Bokken after each training practice where contact is made with another tool. Make sure there aren’t any cracks or splinters in the Bokken. If you do find some – resign the Bokken to a decorative piece, as using it could result in injury from a piece shearing off during practice.

If you are interested in purchasing a Bokken there are several quality models available and economical prices. There is a lighter weight Bokken, perfect for beginners as well as a model specifically for children. Many different models are available for different levels of training. Choose the Bokken, that is right for you.